2022-23 NBA Finals Preview

Jimmy Butler will have a big say as to whether Miami can cause a big upset against Denver.

(Photo: NBA Facebook)

History will be made when one of the two remaining teams in the NBA playoffs holds the Larry O’Brien trophy aloft. For the Denver Nuggets, the current squad has taken the franchise to uncharted territory – the NBA finals. As for the Miami Heat, they will look to become the first eighth seed to win it all in what has been a stellar playoff run.

In what was touted as an intriguing encounter, the Nuggets had an easy path to their maiden Finals series, sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers. While Anthony Davis seemed to somewhat limit the impact two-time MVP, Nikola Jokic, it was Jamal Murray who put the final nail in the coffin. Averaging 32.5 points a game in the Western Conference Finals, Murray was finally able to re-announce himself as the Robin to Jokic’s Batman. Despite the quality of Denver’s starting five, it proved that they are more than a one-trick pony.

The Joker won the Western Conference finals MVP award after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers.

(Photo: NBA Facebook)

The Miami Heat faced a tougher challenge to get to their second NBA finals in four seasons. Seen as heavy underdogs going into the Eastern Conference Finals, the Heat wasted no time establishing a 3-0 lead. However, the Celtics defended better and use their depth in the following three games to level the series. Nonetheless, Miami regrouped to clinch victory in Boston, blowing out the 2022 Eastern Conference champs. Similar to the Nuggets, while their main star fired, it was someone from the supporting cast who ultimately stole the show. For Miami, it was Caleb Martin who stepped up. His 19.3 points per game over the series which included 26 in game seven helped to take the load off Jimmy Butler.

At first glance, Denver looks primed to brush Miami aside like they have the rest of their competition these playoffs. But if you breakdown this matchup bit by bit, the series will be closer than expected. Jokic has been an unstoppable force during these playoffs, becoming the first player since Wilt Chamberlain to average a triple double in consecutive playoff series'. That being said, Jimmy Butler has also been an unstoppable force this postseason. Playoff Jimmy has been doing what playoff Jimmy does best – scoring buckets. At a near 30 points a game, Butler has been the main contributor to Miami’s deep run.

Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic.

(Photo: NBA Facebook)

The series won’t be won or lost with those two players though. It will be decided by the supporting casts for both sides. Denver has a more rounded starting five than Miami, however Miami has better depth than that of their Finals opponents. Championship winners, Kyle Lowry and Kevin Love provide some handy minutes off the bench, while the Nuggets don’t have the same luxury court-side.

As alluded to earlier, the conference finals were won on the back of the supporting casts and with that in mind, Denver has a better one-two punch than Miami. In times where Miami has needed Bam Adebayo to step up throughout the playoffs, he isn’t producing the same numbers as he has been capable of. Throughout the postseason, Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin have provided a better output than Adebayo. Both of those players will have to continue their stellar form against the Nuggets if they are any chance of lifting the trophy for their fourth title.

In order for the Nuggets to win the title on their first attempt, Jamal Murray needs to continue his meteoric resurgence. A chance to truly announce himself once again, Murray needs to take advantage of the Heat investing all of their time into Jokic. As Adebayo is too undersized to play on the Joker, Jimmy Butler should roll onto Jokic throughout the series, giving Murray the opportunity to make the series his own.

In what will be a closer series that what is suggested on paper, the team who can get the greatest contribution from their marquee player will go a long way to becoming champions. Although the barometer will be which second option can have the greater impact – Murray or Martin. Denver’s record at home this season and in particular throughout the playoffs will have Miami on the backfoot early, making it an already difficult task. For that reason, the Nuggets should get it done in six games.

While all eyes will be on Jimmy Butler, Caleb Martin (pictured) will play a vital role.

(Photo: NBA Facebook)

Prediction: Nuggets win 4-2